STAGE 5

       Stage 5 of the Tour de Georgia was the most demanding stage and perhaps the most exciting stage of the race.  This stage started in Athens, home of the Athens Twilight Criterium, and ended on the famous climb up Brasstown Bald.  What a long day, not only for racers but spectators as well.  After the stage was over we had to hammer from the mountains back to Athens to watch the Twilight.  Maybe having these two major cycling events happening on the same day is a little too much.  Hopefully the scheduling will be better in 2005.

    Luckily for us the course came right by my front door before heading into the climbing portion.  With my local knowledge of the back roads we were able to throw a Tour party in my front yard, watch the riders whizz by and still make to Brasstown Bald for the final climb to the finish line.  Thus far I have had the Tour de Georgia come by my house two years and RAAM, Race Across America, twice also.  I feel like my house should be an official stop for Georgia pro racing events.  The reason I live on this road is because it is the number one road biking area in the region.  Is it strange for someone to buy their home based on its proximity to good cycling territory?

WE START THE WAITING GAME; NOTICE MY OWN PERSONAL SHARE THE ROAD SIGN

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THERE ARE FOUR INTERNATIONAL CATEGORY 1/2 PROS IN THIS CROWD

ONE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, ONE FROM UTAH AND TWO FROM SOUTH AMERICA

INCLUDING THE TWO TIME TOUR OF PERU WINNER:  I AIN'T ONE OF THE PROS

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THE LEAD VEHICLES START COMING THROUGH

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THE BREAK AWAY COMES THROUGH (WASTING THEIR EFFORT THIS EARLY)

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MORE SUPPORT VEHICLES BETWEEN THE BREAK AND THE PELOTON

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MORE STAGE 5

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